Prius 4 2016 Liftback

Why wouldn't a 2016 Prius Four have a spare tire? I thought that, for the 2016 models, only the Prius Two Eco came without a spare. Or were you referring to "Fourth Generation" (rather than "trim level Four?") when you said Four?

 

The four and four touring also don't have spares, presumably to offset the weight addition from the things like the power seat so they don't have to state a lower MPG

 

The instructions in the manual say to leave the screw or nail in the tyre and apply the goop as the goop might not seal the tyre if you take out the screw/nail. It then goes on to say, inflate the tyre, run for 20 minutes and re-inflate. What a fuss, the instruction proves that the goop does nothing, when you find a nail in the tyre, pump it up and find it holds pressure, then you don't need the goop, so why even bother ?
The only useful thing in the kit is the electric pump and you can probably buy one of those for $10. The other thing is, the goop in the kit has a 5 year shelf life and costs three quarters of the price a new tyre to replace.
My UK Gen 4 Excel with 17" wheels came with the goop kit but, as part of the deal, my dealer ordered me the temporary spare kit as a replacement, it should be here next week.

 

welcome! the goop is only good for some punctures, and some people have added a plug repair kit. you can also add a spare under the deck if you choose, there is at least one thread in the gen 4 forums covering all this. congrats on your new wheels, all the best!

 

I'd go for the aforementioned plug repair kit, and try to avoid using the goop kit at all costs. Chances are if it's not pluggable the goop won't work either. You'll also need some alternate source of air, the supplied compressor won't operate without using the goop. Even a decent, full size bicycle pump will work. I've plugged repaired a tire (after installing the spare, makes it a lot easier) and then brought the pressure right back up with just a bicycle pump. It's not that hard.

Depending on your situation, it might be worth your while to pick up a temp spare, or even an extra full-size tire, mounted on a Corolla rim. If you do nothing but local travel, just having one on hand might work for you: even leaving it home, if you get a flat, taxi home and back to get the spare, if you don't want it rattling around in the trunk all the time.

Temp spare is ideal, but hard to find and pricey. Full size can actually be cheaper. If you're interested in the latter I can post the part number, there is a compatible Corolla rim.

Also, a St. Christopher medal dangled from the rear view?

 

In about 40 years driving, I would guess I have had about 6 flat tires. I say guess, because none was traumatic enough to be burned deeply into my memory.

My experience is probably unique, but I can say with 100% certainty none was a blow out. Each was discovered either in my driveway, or at work.

In several cases I used a can of Fix-a-Flat and it worked great. I became such a fan that I have a can in my desk drawer at work (they say not to freeze it). I have helped 2 strangers with flats -- giving the full disclaimer regarding goop (I didn't have pressure sensors when I used it).

The last time I found a flat was last year after letting my car sit for a week. For that I got a cheap compressor and filled the tire without goop. Held the air enough from the time I filled it on Saturday until I got to the tire store on Sunday.

The thing I don't like about the compressor solution for the Prius is that you must use the goop-- no choice.

Since I have fantasies of saving the day by doing a virtually permanent tire plug on a tire (or two!) on a Maine loging road, I am keeping my compressor in a gym bag in the hatch -- right next to my Glock trenching tool, bolt cutters and some tools that I am not really qualified to use to thier full advantage.

My fall back plan is walking.

 

I've got two plug repaired tires right now: one of the OEM and one snow tire. Both have at least a couple of years post repair, no problems.

 

The air pump that came with my Prius only works with the gunk container screwed in. So I assembled the kit below, using parts available at any auto parts store:

 

Corolla steel rim, part no: 42611-02471 (2003-2008 corolla or matrix, CE, LS, S)

AFAIK, 3rd gen and 4th gen rims are interchangeable. I got the above with snow tires, at the dealership, and they said even they were not sure, I was the first they tried it on. It was fine though.

 

Question, isn't not possible to get the Prius eco trunk trim parts and add a space saver in a trim level 4 car?

LG-H901 ?

 

My dealer got me a space saver to replace the goo kit, but forgot to get the polystyrene trim bits, he has ordered them for me, so they can be obtained. It looks like it will raise the trunk floor by about 3" with the wheel in.

update, the trunk trim pieces are on back-order from Japan, expected sometime in June. I expect there's a lot of people wanting the wheel kit, as it's a no cost option here in the UK.

 

Any possibility of perhaps compiling a parts list needed for retrofit?

LG-H901 ?

 

Will do when I get the bits.

Update, the dealer only ordered the central foam that covers the wheel (£200 GBP), that means there's nowhere to put the jack, so I've reverted back to leaving the temporary spare on top of the deck in the boot. The whole caboodle is the wheel and hold down bolt, 3 pieces of foam and a different top deck cover, ends up costing around £500-600 GBP plus the wheel.